SARASOTA - Like so many others, Pearl Laven was drawn to this upscale community for its sparkling beaches and lively arts scene.
An artist, she moved here 25 years ago from Albany, N.Y., and considered her new home an oasis of beauty and calm. The abduction and slaying of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia was particularly shocking to her.
"One doesn't expect this kind of thing in a quiet town," Laven said, pausing during a stroll along Palm Avenue in downtown Sarasota. "It's too horrible, too hard to absorb. I can't even read about it now."
On Saturday, this city of about 50,000 was still struggling to digest news of Carlie's death.
Her home on McIntosh Road has been turned into a shrine, adorned with hundreds of flowers and stuffed animals. Dozens of well wishers have dropped by to offer condolences or small prayers.
The death seemed even more grisly given the quiet, safe reputation that Sarasota maintained for so many years. But that pristine image may be changing.
Last month, the city's arts community was rocked by the slaying of gallery owner Joyce Wishart, who was stabbed and mutilated. It was the city's first homicide of the year and the eighth since 2002.
The killing is still unsolved. Sarasota police have chased more than 80 leads and have asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for a profiler to help with the investigation.
Then came the news about Carlie.
The surveillance videotape of Carlie being abducted from a car wash parking lot was replayed over and over on television, stirring national interest in the case.
"I think that is the most horrible thing, to watch that child walk to her death and there's nothing we can do to stop her," said Mary Byrne, who was shopping along Palm Avenue on Saturday.
Sarasota was inundated by media, including national television networks such as CNN and Fox News. A reporter from the National Enquirer combed the town for potential sources.
Carlie's body was found Friday near a church parking lot. Joseph P. Smith, a mechanic with a lengthy criminal history, faces kidnapping and first-degree murder charges in Carlie's death.
Michael Tucci, a music director at St. Mary's Star of The Sea Catholic Church, said the city has talked of almost nothing else since the abduction was reported. Many are amazed by the senselessness of it all.
"It doesn't put any more fear in me," he said."But it has made me think more about human nature and what people are capable of. It's more of a philosophical thing."
Several of the people who stopped at Carlie's house Saturday expressed frustration that Smith was not put in prison for violating his probation.
In December, Smith fell behind in paying his court fees. He had also tested positive for drug use in August.
"There's no way he should have been out on the streets," said Terry Ward, 40, who dropped by the house to pay his respects. "I don't get it. I don't understand why he was a free man."
Chelsea Erickson, 15, broke down and cried Friday afternoon while thinking about Carlie. She said she was sad her hometown had gained such notoriety.
"I remember myself at 11," Erickson said. "There are so many experiences that Carlie's not going to get now."
